_________________

Biography

​

Kenneth W. Hughlon II has a deeply rooted history in the greater Kansas City, MO area being involved in many youth development programs. Mr. Hughlon is most noted for his involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, having served the 100-year-old civil rights organization in numerous capacities. As the Region IV Representative to the National Board of Directors elected at the age of 17, he successfully, directed, planned and implemented NAACP policies through work on the various committees; Education, Image Awards, ACT-SO, Political Action, International Relations, Youth Works, and Criminal Justice; worked on legislation for the Voting Rights Acts; traveled the world representing the NAACP, primarily, in Italy when teaching lessons on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi’s message of peace and non-violent resistance; increased regional and national membership through membership campaigns led. In addition, he also drafted a manual on what it took to succeed in life through the use strategic goal planning. Mr. Hughlon admirably chartered and advised the Dillard and Xavier University Chapters of NAACP. Hughlon previously represented the NAACP as the Manger of Board Relations and Special Assistant to the Honorable Julian Bond and currently serves as Executive Director of the Greater South Kansas City Community Development Corporation. While serving on the NAACP National Board of Directors for 7 years, Mr. Hughlon focused on improving programs for youth throughout the nation. Mr. Hughlon is a perfect example of educational excellence. While on the board, Mr. Hughlon graduated from Paseo Academy in 2003, where he majored in Dramatic Arts and in 2006 was able to earn two Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and African World Studies from Dillard University where he was honored for being amongst the first to finish this dual concentration in three years. He earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a dual concentration in Government Business Relations and Non-Profit Management from Park University in his hometown, Kansas City, MO. During graduate school, Hughlon was the President of the Association of Public Administrators, in addition to the youngest enrolled and fastest to complete the MPA after a year of rigorous study in the two year program. Mr. Hughlon is now enrolled in a doctoral program graduating May 7, 2011 from Faith Bible College with dissertation topic, “The Church as a Beacon for Communal Improvement: Socio-Economic Factors” (Positive and Negative Influences of Religion on Society)
 

Mr. Hughlon is proud of his recent book, “From Poverty to Pride: An African American Males Destiny”. His book is a 10 step guide for young men on how to achieve your dreams by making the most of your common sense and educational pursuits. The foreward was written by Hollywood Actor Michael B. Jordan and has a host of other celebrity inclusions. In addition, Mr. Hughlon is active on the boards and committees of several civic, cultural, and philanthropic organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Mason - St. James Lodge #59 (32nd Degree), Association of Public Administrators, and recently the distinction of being Co-Chair of the Dr. MLK Dream Team Initiative.

​

Most recently Dr. Hughlon contracted with CCO (Communitiess Creating Opportunity), a PICO Federation, as an Economic Dignity Fellow. In this position, Dr. Hughlon  took part with a team that registered and restored 2,500 voices of voters in the Greater KCMO Metropolitan area. valued member of a team that led the Cap the Rate Raise the Wage Campaign to increase Missouri minimum wage and Cap Pay Day Lending at 36%.​ Dr. Hughlon was recently appointed Civic Engagement Committee Chairman for the Kansas City, MO NAACP Branch.
 

“The best time to do something positive is between yesterday and tomorrow”